Cutter chain

ABSTRACT

An endless flexible cutter chain and more particularly a chain consisting of a plurality of rigid links with all of the rigid links consisting of two body portions and through the use of only two basic body portions, a chain is constructed which comprises single-bit cutter links, double-bit cutter links and/or cutter links having no means for receiving cutter bits therein.

United States Patent 1 3,580,639

[72] Inventor Ralph W. Mitchell I 2,398,107 4/1946 Morrow 299/84X 1421 Liberty SL, Franklin, Pa. 16323 FOREIGN PATENTS [21] App]. No. 817,346

[22] Filed p 18,1969 391,901 5/1933 Great Britain .1 299/83 [45] Patented May 25, 1971 Primary ExaminerEmest R. Purser Attorney-E. Wallace Breisch [54] CUTTER CHAIN 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

52 us. Cl 299/84 1 f Cl E219 25/34 ABSTRACT: An endless flexible cutter chain and more par- [50] Fleld of Search 83, ticula -iy a hain consisting of a plurality of rigid links with all 84 of the rigid links consisting of two body portions and through the use of only two basic body portions, a chain is constructed [56] References Cited which comprises single-bit cutter links, double-bit cutter links UNlTED STATES PATENTS and/or cutter links having no means for receiving cutter bits 1,932,948 10/1933 Anderson 299/82 therein.

CUTTER CHAIN Endless flexible cutter chains for mining coal and other minerals and materials comprise a plurality of links, some of which are adapted to support cutter bits in the variety of bit positions needed to cut a kerf. Presently such bit-supporting links require the use at least three forged, cast or machine pieces of cover all such bit positions.

In the present invention all the cutter bit supporting links, including singleand double-bit links, are constructed from only two basic forgings or castings. The use of two basic components over three or more components previously taught has the advantages of less machining, less inventory, greater flexibility, and greater reliability.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a portion of a cutter chain having bit-supporting links therein constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a combination bit-supporting head and leg link portion constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the combination bit-supporting head and leg link portion shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a double-bit-supporting link con structed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a bit link leg portion constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an end viewof the bit link leg portion shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a single-bit-supporting link constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is an end view of a blank link constructed in accordance with the principles of'this invention.

-An endless flexible cutter chain generally designated at 10 comprises a plurality of cutter links 12 pivotably connected by strap or connector links 14. The cutter links 12 and connecting link 14 have respective aligned bores 16 and 17 therethrough for receiving well-known hinge pins 18 therein in any suitable manner for example a manner shown and illustrated in US. Pat. No. 2,802,369.

Cutter links 12 are of any suitable form or construction to support or space cutter bits 48, in addition to being an integral part of the cutter chain. The positioning of cutter bits 48 with respect to adjacent links 12 is often varied to provide the desired particular bit pattern which is most effective in mining mineral. To this end the cutter chain 10 can be comprised of any acceptable combination of the following cutter links; a double-bit-supporting cutter link 20 (FIG. 4); a single-bit-supporting cutter link 24 (FIG. 7); and a blank link 22 which has no provision thereon for bit-supporting means (FIG. 8). As hereinafter described in detail, by means of the present invention the cutter links 20, 22 and 24 can be constructed from two basic castings or forgings, namely; a combination bit-supporting head and leg link body portion or section 26 (FIG. 2 and 3); and/or a leg link section 28 (FIGS. 5 and 6). For purposes of body portion or the description of sections 26 and 28 as set forth hereinafter, upper and lower and inward and out ward will refer, respectively, to the top and bottom and the right and left of respective link sections as viewed in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6.

As fully explained hereinafter cutter links 20, 22 and 24 include respective well-known inverted U shaped chain blocks ll, 11' and 11''. Chain blocks 11, I1 and. 11 comprise spaced downwardly extending parallel side or leg portions and a bridge section which extends transversely between such leg portions at the upper ends thereof (FIGS. 4, 7 and 8). As is well known such space between the leg portions is determined by the transverse thickness of the connector links 14 and the cutter chain drive sprocket (not shown).

Section 28 comprises an elongated downwardly extending leg portion 30 and an upper elongated inwardly projecting bridge portion 32. Bridge portion 32 is formed integrally with leg portion 30; has an axial length thereof less than the axial length of portion 30; and is axially symmetrical with respect to the vertical centerline of portion 30. Portion 32 has the outer side thereof in alignment with the outer side of portion 30 and projects inwardly therefrom such that the inner side on mating surface 34 thereof is offset inwardly from the inner side of portion 30. Such offset between surfaces 34 and the inner side of portion 30 is substantially equal to one-half of the space between the leg portions of a cutter link as hereinbefore described.

With such a structure of section 28 as hereinabove described, a blank link 24 is constructed from two sections 28, one of such sections being turned with respect to the other. The turning of the one section 28 with respect to the other allows the alignment thereof for the joining of the two sections to form the blank link 24, such aligning including the leg portions 30 being parallel to one another and the lowermost surface of the leg portions 30 lying in the same transverse plane. The aligned sections 28 are positioned in preparation to the joining thereof at mating surfaces 34 such that the mating surfaces 34 thereof are either abutting and in exact alignment or slightly spaced or in exact alignment. After such positioning the sections 28 are joined at surfaces 34 thereof by an suitable welding technique whereby the resultant welded joint is of sufficient strength to withstand ordinary cutter chain forces applied thereto. Surfaces 34 may have to be finished prior to the welding thereof depending on the welding technique used. A preferred method of joining sections 28 is shown in a US. copending application Ser. No. 845,779, filed July 29, 1969 and assigned to the same assignee as is this invention wherein aligned sections 28 are positioned approximately 0.01 inches apart and joined at surfaces 34 by means of an autogenous welding technique such as electron beam welding.

Section 26 comprises a plurality of portions formed integrally with one another consisting of; a lower elongated downwardly extending leg portion 36, an upper elongated circular cross section bit-supporting portion 38, and an upper elongated inwardly projecting bridge portion 40. The portion 38 has an axial length thereof less than the axial length of portion 36 and is generally axially and transversely symmetrical with respect to the vertical centerline of portion 36. Portion 40 has an axial length thereof equal to or less than the axial length of portion 38 and projects inwardly from portion 38 such that the inner side or mating surface 42 thereof is offset inwardly from the inner side of portion 36. Such offset between surface 42 and the inner side of portion 36 is substantially equal to one-half of the space between the leg portions of a cutter link as hereinbefore described.

With such a structure of section 26 as hereinabove described, a double-bit supporting link 20 is constructed from two sections 26, one of such sections being turned 180 with respect to the other. The turning of one section 26 with respect to the other allows the alignment thereof for the joining of two sections to form the cutter link 20, such aligning including the leg portions 36 being parallel to one another and the lowermost surface of the leg portions 36 lying in the same transverse plane. The aligned sections 26 are positioned in preparation to the joining thereof at mating surfaces 42 such that the mating surfaces 42 thereof are either abutting and in exact alignment or slightly spaced and in exact alignment. After such positioning the sections 26 are joined at surfaces 42 thereof in a similar manner as hereinbefore described with reference to the construction of link 24.

Surface 42 of the link section 26 is equal in all respects to surfaces 34 of the link section 28, therefore a single-bit cutter link 22 can be constructed from a link section 26 and a link section 28, one of the sections being turned 180 with respect to the other. The turning of one of the sections with respect to the other allows the alignment thereof for the joining of the two sections to form the single-bit cutter link 22, such aligning including the respective leg portions 30 and 36 being parallel to one another with the lowermost surface of portions 30 and 36 lying in the same transverse plane. The aligned sections 26 and 28 are positioned in preparation to the joining thereof at respective mating surfaces 42 and 34 such that the respective mating surfaces 42 and 34 are either abutting and in exact alignment or slightly spaced and in exact alignment. After such positioning the sections are joined at the mating surfaces thereof in a similar manner as hereinbefore described with reference to the described construction oflink 24.

It is to be noted that surfaces 42 and 34 can be of any suita ble shape which will develop a mating area sufficient to withstand the well-known bending and shear stresses which a cutter chain undergoes during the orbital cutting path thereof. As shown the mating'surfaces 42 and 34 have substantially deeper cross section at the central portions thereof than at the end portions thereof, thereby facilitating a material savings for the bending stresses are maximum at the central portions thereof.

The bit-supporting cutter links and 22 are adapted to receive bits therein in any suitable manner and as shown a well-known cutter bit 48 of rectangular cross section is received within a generally vertically oriented aperture 46 of respective bit supporting portions 38. Aperture 46 is formed by initially-drilling a relatively large hole and enlarging such hole by broaching to receive the rectangular cross section cutter bit 48. As is well known, the slope, if any, of an aperture 46 with respect to the normal of cutter links 20 and 22 is determined by the particular position of such links in the cutter chain 10. Cutter bits 48 are confined within aperture 46 in any suitable manner, for example, threaded keeper means 50 extend from the forward cutting end of links 22 through a longitudinally extending bore 52 in supporting portion 38. Bore 52 communicates between such forward end and the .lower portion of aperture 46. As shown, a bore 52 is provided on both sides of aperture 46 so that a section 26 can be used as either a leftor right-hand section without regard to the bore 52.

A significant feature of this invention is that all the links of an endless cutter chain, including single and double cutter bit supporting links and blank links, are constructed from only two basic forgings or castings having generally equal leg portions and also respective bridge portions thereof which project inwardly from such leg portions substantially'equal distance. By following the principles taught by this invention, one skilled in the art can achieve the hereinabove-mentioned feature with structural alterations to the preferred embodiment hereinbefore described, for example: the cross-sectional configuration of portion 38 can be other than circular; aperture 46 and bit 48 can have a cross section thereof other than rectangular; a bit holder can be positioned in aperture 46 rather than bit; and, different bit-retaining means are contemplated.

The description herein does not limit the structure of this invention and the invention is defined by the scope of the claims set forth hereinafter.

I claim:

1. In an endless flexible cutter chain consisting of a connected plurality of rigid links with each link being an elongated member having a U-shaped cross section, the improvement comprising: each of said links consisting of two body portions rigidly connected along a longitudinal plane in the bight portion thereof which plane extends generally in the same longitudinal and lateral directions as the side portions of said links; said body portions of certain of said links being dissimilar, one only of said body portions of each of said certain links having bit-receiving means therein; and said body portions of other of said links being identical with respect to each other and identical to one of said body portions of said certain links.

2. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 1 wherein said one of said body portions of said certain links is identical to said one only of said body portions of said certain links.

3. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 1 wherein said one of said body portions of said certain links is identical to the other one of said body portions of said certain links.

4. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 2 wherein body portions of still other of said links are identical with respect to each other and identical to the other one of said body portions of said certain links.

5. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 1, wherein said bit-receiving means include a generally vertically oriented aperture within an elongated upper bit-receiving portion of said one only of said body portions of said certain links and said aperture receives the shank portion of a cutter bit therein.

6. An endless cutter chain as specified in claim 5 wherein substantially longitudinally extending bores in said upper bitreceiving portion communicate between respective axial ends of said upper bit-receiving portion and said aperture and only one of said longitudinally extending bores in each respective bit-receiving portion has a bit retaining means therein.

7. In an endless flexible cutter chain consisting of a connected plurality of rigid links with each link being an elongated member having a U-shaped cross section, the improvement comprising: each of said links consisting of two body portions rigidly connected along a longitudinal plane in the bight portion thereof which plane extends generally in the same longitudinal and lateral directions as the side portions of said links; said body portions of certain of said links being dissimilar, one only of said body portions of each of said certain links having bit-receiving means therein; and said body portions of all other of said links being identical with respect to each other and identical to said one only of said body portions.

8. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 7 wherein said side portions of said links are parallel to said longitudinal plane.

9. An endless cutter chain as specified in claim 7 wherein said bit-receiving means include a generally vertically oriented aperture within an elongated upper bit receiving portion of said one only of said body portions of said certain links and said aperture receives the shank portion of a cutter bit therein.

10. An endless cutter chain as specified in claim 9 wherein substantially longitudinally extending bores in said upper bitreceiving portion communicate between respective axial ends of said upper bit receiving portion and said aperture and only one of said longitudinally extending bores in each respective bit receiving portion has a bit retaining means therein. 

1. In an endless flexible cutter chain consisting of a connected plurality of rigid links with each link being an elongated member having a U-shaped cross section, the improvement comprising: each of said links consisting of two body portions rigidly connected along a longitudinal plane in the bight portion thereof which plane extends generally in the same longitudinal and lateral directions as the side portions of said links; said body portions of certain of said links being dissimilar, one only of said body portions of each of said certain links having bit-receiving means therein; and said body portions of other of said links being identical with respect to each other and identical to one of said body portions of said certain links.
 2. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 1 wherein said one of said body portions of said certain links is identical to said one only of said body portions of said certain links.
 3. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 1 wherein said one of said body portions of said certain links is identical to the other one of said body portions of said certain links.
 4. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 2 wherein body portions of still other of said links are identical with respect to each other and identical to the other one of said body portions of said certain links.
 5. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 1, wherein said bit-receiving means include a generally vertically oriented aperture within an elongated upper bit-receiving portion of said one only of said body portions of said certain links and said aperture receives the shank portion of a cutter bit therein.
 6. An endless cutter chain as specified in claim 5 wherein substantially longitudinally extending bores in said upper bit-receiving portion communicate between respective axial ends of said upper bit-receiving portion and said aperture and only one of said longitudinally extending bores in each respective bit-receiving portion has a bit retaining means therein.
 7. In an endless flexible cutter chain consisting of a connected plurality of rigid links with each link being an elongated member having a U-shaped cross section, the improvement comprising: each of said links consisting of two body portions rigidly connected along a longitudinal plane in the bight portion thereof which plane extends generally in the same longitudinal and lateral directions as the side portions of said links; said body portions of certain of said links being dissimilar, one only of said body portions of each of said certain links having bit-receiving means therein; and said body portions of all other of said links being identical with respect to each other and identical to said one only of said body portions.
 8. An endless flexible cutter chain as specified in claim 7 wherein said side portions of said links are parallel to said longitudinal plane.
 9. An endless cutter chain as specified in claim 7 wherein said bit-receiving means include a generally vertically oriented aperture within an elongated upper bit receiving portion of said one only of said body portions of said certain links and said aperture receives the shank portion of a cutter bit therein.
 10. An endless cutter chain as specified in claim 9 wherein substantially longitudinally extending bores in said upper bit-receiving portion communicate between respective axial ends of said upper bit receiving portion and said aperture and only one of said longitudinally extending bores in each respective bit receivinG portion has a bit retaining means therein. 